Network controller replacement of indication of one or more specific network connections usable by first network component in signaling message for second network component with wild card network connection information

ABSTRACT

Apparatus in one example comprises network controller(s) that serve to communicatively couple first network component with second network component. The first network component sends signaling message for the second network component to one or more of the network controller(s). The signaling message comprises indication of specific network connection(s) usable by the first network component. One or more of the network controller(s) serve to replace the indication of the specific network connection(s) usable by the first network component in the signaling message with wild card network connection information. The one or more of the network controller(s) serve to send the signaling message that comprises the wild card network connection information to the second network component. The wild card network connection information indicates the second network component is allowed to indicate to one or more of the network controller(s) specific network connection(s) usable by the second network component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application contains subject matter which is related to the subjectmatter of the following applications, which are assigned to the sameassignee as this application. The below-listed applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties:

-   -   “COMMUNICATION SYSTEM INCLUDING AN INTERWORKING MOBILE SWITCHING        CENTER FOR CALL ORIGINATION,” by Ejzak, Ser. No. 09/919,651,        filed Jul. 31, 2001.    -   “COMMUNICATION SYSTEM INCLUDING AN INTERWORKING MOBILE SWITCHING        CENTER FOR CALL TERMINATION,” by Ejzak, Ser. No. 09/919,642,        filed Jul. 31, 2001.    -   “COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ROAMING BETWEEN AN INTERNET        PROTOCOL MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM AND A CIRCUIT-SWITCHED DOMAIN,” by        Ejzak, Ser. No. 09/919,641, filed Jul. 31, 2001.    -   “PROVISION OF SERVICES IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM INCLUDING AN        INTERWORKING MOBILE SWITCHING CENTER,” by Ejzak, Ser. No.        09/919,675, filed Jul. 31, 2001.    -   “INTERNET PROTOCOL MULTIMEDIA SUBSYSTEM COMPONENT PROVIDING OF        PACKET-SWITCHED SWITCHING FUNCTIONS TO SERVING MOBILE SWITCHING        CENTER FEATURE SERVER,” by Cyr, et al., co-filed herewith.

“COMMUNICATION BETWEEN USER AGENTS THROUGH EMPLOYMENT OF CODEC FORMATUNSUPPORTED BY ONE OF THE USER AGENTS,” by Ejzak, et al., co-filedherewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to communications and more particularlyto wireless communications.

BACKGROUND

Service providers are evolving the existing time division multiplexing(“TDM”) based circuited networks to packet-based networks and eventuallyto end-to-end internet protocol telephony applications using sessioninitiation protocol (“SIP”) as the signaling protocol. A typical sessioninitiation protocol network architecture may consist of one or moresession initiation protocol back-to-back user agents (“B2BUA”) andsession initiation protocol user agents (“UA”). The session initiationprotocol user agents employ specific network protocol technologies tocommunicate with other network entities. The session initiation protocoluser agents employ network negotiation to set up communication withother session initiation protocol user agents.

Several network configurations exist that require network negotiation.Exemplary configurations include internet protocol (“IP”) local areanetworks (“LANs”) connected through an asynchronous transfer mode(“ATM”) wide area network (“WAN”), internet protocol local area networksconnected through an internet protocol wide area network, and aninternet protocol local area network connected to a public switchedtelephone network (“PSTN”) through an internet protocol wide areanetwork.

As one shortcoming, a session initiation protocol user agent employingone network protocol technology cannot directly communicate with asession initiation protocol user agent employing a different networkprotocol technology. Different session initiation protocol user agentsmay employ different network protocol technologies. For example, sessioninitiation protocol user agents may support network protocoltechnologies such as internet protocol, asynchronous transfer mode, andtime division multiplexing (“TDM”). Session initiation protocol employssession description protocol (“SDP”) offer/answer procedures to performnetwork negotiation between session initiation protocol user agents in asession initiation protocol network. If the session initiation protocoluser agents do not support one or more common network protocoltechnologies, then session initiation protocol cannot successfullyestablish a communication session between the session initiationprotocol user agents.

Thus, a need exists for enhanced network negotiation in a variety ofnetwork configurations.

SUMMARY

The invention in one implementation encompasses an apparatus. Theapparatus comprises one or more network controllers that serve tocommunicatively couple a first network component with a second networkcomponent. The first network component sends a signaling message for thesecond network component to one or more of the one or more networkcontrollers. The signaling message comprises an indication of one ormore specific network connections usable by the first network component.One or more of the one or more network controllers serve to replace theindication of the one or more specific network connections usable by thefirst network component in the signaling message with wild card networkconnection information. The one or more of the one or more networkcontrollers serve to send the signaling message that comprises the wildcard network connection information to the second network component. Thewild card network connection information indicates the second networkcomponent is allowed to indicate to one or more of the one or morenetwork controllers one or more specific network connections usable bythe second network component.

Another implementation of the invention encompasses a method. At anetwork controller a specific connection information parameter of afirst network component is received for set up of a communicationsession with a second network component. At the network controller thespecific connection information parameter is modified to allow thesecond network component to determine a specific connection informationparameter of the second network component for set up of thecommunication session with the first network component. With the networkcontroller a network is selected from a plurality of available networksto communicatively couple the first network component with the secondnetwork component based on one or more of the specific connectioninformation parameters of the first network component and the specificconnection information parameters of the second network component.

Yet another implementation of the invention encompasses an article. Thearticle comprises one or more computer-readable signal-bearing media.The article comprises means in the one or more media for receiving at anetwork controller a specific connection information parameter of afirst network component for set up of a communication session with asecond network component. The article comprises means in the one or moremedia for modifying at the network controller the specific connectioninformation parameter to allow the second network component to determinea specific connection information parameter of the second networkcomponent for set up of the communication session with the first networkcomponent. The article comprises means in the one or more media forselecting with the network controller a network from a plurality ofavailable networks to communicatively couple the first network componentwith the second network component based on one or more of the specificconnection information parameters of the first network component and thespecific connection information parameters of the second networkcomponent.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of exemplary implementations of the invention will becomeapparent from the description, the claims, and the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a representation of one example of an apparatus that comprisesone or more network controllers and one or more networks.

FIGS. 2-9 are representations of exemplary configurations that serves toconnect the one or more networks of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are representations of exemplary message flow for aconnection of a first user of a first network of the one or morenetworks to a second user of a second network of the one or morenetworks of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a representation of another exemplary message flow for aconnection of a first user of a first network of the one or morenetworks to a second user of a second network of the one or morenetworks of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 in one example comprises a pluralityof components such as computer software and/or hardware components. Anumber of such components can be combined or divided in the apparatus100.

In one example, the apparatus 100 employs one or more computer-readablesignal-bearing media. One example of a computer-readable signal-bearingmedium for the apparatus 100 comprises an instance of a recordable datastorage medium 101 such as one or more of a magnetic, electrical,optical, biological, and atomic data storage medium. In another example,a computer-readable signal-bearing medium for the apparatus 100comprises a modulated carrier signal transmitted over a networkcomprising or coupled with the apparatus 100, for instance, one or moreof a telephone network, a local area network (“LAN”), the internet, anda wireless network. An exemplary component of the apparatus 100 employsand/or comprises a set and/or series of computer instructions written inor implemented with any of a number of programming languages, as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art.

In one example, the apparatus 100 comprises one or more networkcontrollers 102 and 104. The one or more network controllers 102 and 104serve to arrange a connection between a plurality of networks 106, 108,and 110. The one or more network controllers 102 and 104 employ one ormore gateway controllers (“GW controllers”) 112 and 114 to allocate oneor more gateways (“GWs”) 116 and 118 to interface the plurality ofnetworks 106, 108, and 110. The one or more network controllers 102 and104 connect one or more users 120 and 122 through a signaling path 124.The plurality of networks 106, 108, and 110 connect the one or moreusers 120 and 122 through a bearer path 126.

The one or more network controllers 102 and 104, in one example,comprise session initiation protocol back to back user agents(“B2BUAs”). The one or more network controllers 102 and 104, in anotherexample, comprise internet protocol multimedia subsystem (“IMS”) mediagateway control functions (“MGCFs”). The media gateway control functionspromote interworking of different signaling protocols. The one or moreuser network controllers 102 and 104 communicate using a signalingprotocol, for example, session initiation protocol (“SIP”) or bearerindependent call control (“BICC”). The one or more network controllers102 and 104 receive and process offer/answer messages duringcommunication setup.

In one example, the offer/answer messages comprise session descriptionprotocol (“SDP”) communication messages encapsulated in sessioninitiation protocol signaling messages or bearer independent callcontrol signaling messages. An offer message of the offer/answermessages comprises a description of the media capabilities of anoffering user agent to an answering user agent to initiatecommunication. An answer message of the offer/answer messages comprisesa response to the offer message, for example, the answering user agentmay accept the offer message with a description of its own capabilities,or may decline the offer message.

In another example, the offer/answer messages comprise integratedservices digital network user part (“ISUP”) communication messages. Theintegrated services digital network user part communication messagescomprise equivalent network connection parameters to the sessiondescription protocol messages. The integrated services digital networkuser part communication messages describe a time division multiplexing(“TDM”) trunk and a circuit identity code of the time divisionmultiplexing trunk.

The one or more network controllers 102 and 104, are responsible forallocation of the one or more gateways 116 and 118 into the bearer path126. In one example, one or more instances of the network 108 areavailable to connect the networks 106 and 110 on the bearer path 126,for example, the one or more instances of the network 108 supportdifferent network protocol technologies. The one or more networkcontrollers 102 and 104 choose which one of the one or more instances ofthe network 108 to use to connect the networks 106 and 110. Based onwhich one of the one or more instances of the network 108 the one ormore network controllers 102 and 104 determine if an instance of the oneor more gateways 116 and 118 is required to interface the networks 106and 110 with the one of the one or more instances of the network 108.

The plurality of networks 106, 108, and 110 support communicationbetween the one or more users 120 and 122. The plurality of networks106, 108, and 110 support communication on the bearer path 126. Theplurality of networks 106, 108, and 110 comprise one or more of localarea networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (“MANs”), and wide areanetworks (“WANs”). The plurality of networks 106, 108, and 110 supportone or more network protocol technologies, for example, internetprotocol (“IP”) and asynchronous transfer mode (“ATM”).

The one or more gateway controllers 112 and 114 control the allocationof the one or more gateways 116 and 118. The one or more gatewaycontrollers 112 and 114 allocate the one or more gateways 116 and 118under direction of the one or more network controllers 102 and 104. Inone example, the one or more network controllers 102 and 104 sendsession description protocol messages to the one or more gatewaycontrollers 112 and 114 that cause the one or more gateway controllers112 and 114 to allocate the one or more gateways 116 and 118.

The one or more gateways 116 and 118 facilitate the interworking of theone or more networks 106, 108, and 110. In one example, the one or morenetworks 106, 108, and 110 comprise a first network and a secondnetwork. The first network supports a different one of the one or morenetwork protocol technologies than the second network, for example, thefirst network comprises an internet protocol network and the secondnetwork comprises an asynchronous transfer mode network. An instance ofthe one or more gateways 116 and 118 is required to interface the firstnetwork to the second network. The first network and second networkexchange communication representing, e.g. voice media, via one or moreinstances of gateways 116 and 118. The instance of the one or moregateways 116 and 118 executes an internet protocol to asynchronoustransfer mode conversion to generate an asynchronous transfer modecommunication based on the internet protocol communication. The instanceof the one or more gateways 116 and 118 sends the asynchronous transfermode communication to the second network. Conversely, the instance ofthe one or more gateways 116 and 118 executes an asynchronous transfermode to internet protocol conversion to generate an internet protocolcommunication based on the asynchronous transfer mode communication. Theinstance of the one or more gateways 116 and 118 sends the internetprotocol communication to the first network.

The one or more users 120 and 122 comprise one or more of mobiletelephones and landline telephones. The one or more users 120 and 122comprise signaling components 128 and 130, and media components 132 and134. The signaling components 128 and 130 generate, receive, andinterpret signaling protocol messages, for example, session initiationprotocol messages. The signaling component 128 of the user 120 and thesignaling component 130 of the user 122 communicate through thesignaling path 124. The media components 132 and 134 generate, receive,and interpret communication, for example, internet protocol orasynchronous transfer mode communication representing voice media. Themedia component 132 of the user 120 and the media component 134 of theuser 122 communicate through the bearer path 126.

Turning to FIG. 2, exemplary configuration 201 of the apparatus 100serves to illustrate a connection of the network 106 to the network 110through the network 108. The networks 106 and 110 comprise internetprotocol local area networks. The one or more network controllers 102and 104 employ an asynchronous transfer mode wide area network as thenetwork 108. The gateway 116 translates communication on the bearer path126 from internet protocol communication to asynchronous transfer modecommunication. The gateway 118 translates communication on the bearerpath 126 from asynchronous transfer mode communication to internetprotocol communication.

Turning to FIG. 3, exemplary configuration 301 of the apparatus 100serves to illustrate a connection of the network 106 to the network 110through the network 108. The configuration 301 comprises the samearchitecture described in the configuration 201, however the one or morenetwork controllers 102 and 104 employ an internet protocol wide areanetwork as the network 108. Since the networks 106, 108, and 110 supportthe same network protocol technology (i.e., internet protocol)translation of communication on the bearer path 126 is not required.

Turning to FIG. 4, exemplary configuration 401 of the apparatus 100serves to illustrate a connection of the network 106 to the network 110through the network 108. The network 106 comprises a time divisionmultiplexing network, for example, a public switched telephone network(“PSTN”). The one or more network controllers 102 and 104 employ anasynchronous transfer mode wide area network as the network 108. Thenetwork 110 comprises an internet protocol local area network. Thegateway 116 translates communication on the bearer path 126 from timedivision multiplexing communication to asynchronous transfer modecommunication. The gateway 118 translates communication on the bearerpath 126 from asynchronous transfer mode communication to internetprotocol communication.

Turning to FIG. 5, exemplary configuration 501 of the apparatus 100serves to illustrate a connection of the network 106 to the network 110through the network 108. The configuration 501 comprises the samearchitecture described in the configuration 401, however the one or morenetwork controllers 102 and 104 employ an internet protocol wide areanetwork as the network 108. Since the networks 108 and 110 support thesame network protocol technology (i.e., internet protocol) translationof communication between the networks 108 and 110 on the bearer path 126is not required.

Turning to FIG. 6, exemplary configuration 601 of the apparatus 100serves to illustrate a connection of the network 106 to the network 110through the network 108. The network 106 comprises an internet protocollocal area network. The one or more network controllers 102 and 104employ an asynchronous transfer mode wide area network as the network108. The network 110 comprises a time division multiplexing network, forexample, a public switched telephone network. The gateway 116 translatescommunication on the bearer path 126 from internet protocolcommunication to asynchronous transfer mode communication. The gateway118 translates communication on the bearer path 126 from asynchronoustransfer mode communication to time division multiplexing communication.

Turning to FIG. 7, exemplary configuration 701 of the apparatus 100serves to illustrate a connection of the network 106 to the network 110through the network 108. The configuration 701 comprises the samearchitecture described in the configuration 601, however the one or morenetwork controllers 102 and 104 employ an internet protocol wide areanetwork as the network 108. Since the networks 106 and 108 support thesame network protocol technology (i.e., internet protocol) translationof communication between the networks 106 and 108 on the bearer path 126is not required.

Turning to FIG. 8, exemplary configuration 801 of the apparatus 100serves to illustrate a connection of the network 106 to the network 110through the network 108. The networks 106 and 110 comprise time divisionmultiplexing networks, for example, public switched telephone networks.The one or more network controllers 102 and 104 employ an asynchronoustransfer mode wide area network as the network 108. The gateway 116translates communication on the bearer path 126 from time divisionmultiplexing communication to asynchronous transfer mode communication.The gateway 118 translates communication on the bearer path 126 fromasynchronous transfer mode communication to time division multiplexingcommunication.

Turning to FIG. 9, exemplary configuration 901 of the apparatus 100serves to illustrate a connection of the network 106 to the network 110through the network 108. The configuration 701 comprises the samearchitecture described in the configuration 801, however the one or morenetwork controllers 102 and 104 employ an internet protocol wide areanetwork or local area network as the network 108. The gateway 116translates communication on the bearer path 126 from time divisionmultiplexing communication to internet protocol communication. Thegateway 118 translates communication on the bearer path 126 frominternet protocol communication to time division multiplexingcommunication.

An illustrative description of exemplary operation of the apparatus 100is now presented, for explanatory purposes. The illustrative descriptionshows how offer/answer messages are used to set up one connectionrequirement, for example, network type negotiation. The offer/answermessages comprise connection information, for example, a network type, anetwork address type, and a network address. Other types of connectionrequirements such as coder-decoder (“codec”) negotiation are alsoexchanged in the offer/answer messages.

Turning to FIGS. 2, 10, and 11, a call flow 1001 represents oneexemplary network negotiation from the user 120 to the user 122 throughthe configuration 201. The user 120 initiates a communication session bygenerating an offer 1002, for example, a session description protocoloffer. The offer 1002 comprises connection information of the user 120for the communication session. The connection information comprises anetwork type, an address type, and an address of the user 120. In oneexample, the network type comprises an internet (“IN”) and the addresstype comprises an internet protocol version four (“IPv4”) type. “c=INIPv4 address” in one example serves to represent the connectioninformation of the user 120. The address parameter may be a physicalinternet protocol version four address or a fully qualified domain name(“FQDN”).

Two types of connection information (session connection information andmedia connection information) exist in the session description protocol.The session connection information and the media connection informationboth use the same message format. If available, the media connectioninformation overrides the session connection information.

In one example, the offer 1002 comprises the session descriptionprotocol offer. The address parameter comprises the physical internetprotocol version four address or a physical internet protocol versionsix (“Ipv6”) address. In another example, the offer 1002 comprises atime division multiplexing offer. In yet another example, the offer 1002comprises an asynchronous transfer mode offer. “c=IPa” in one exampleserves to represent the connection information of the user 120 in theoffer 1002. “c=IPa” is shorthand notation for a correctly formattedsession description protocol connection information representing aspecific internet protocol version four, internet protocol version six,or asynchronous transfer mode physical address.

The user 120 sends the offer 1002 to the network controller 102. Thenetwork controller 102 is able to allocate the gateway 116 to the bearerpath 126 to convert between network types, but the network controller102 is not yet sure the gateway 116 is necessary. To determine if thegateway 116 is necessary the network controller 102 communicates withthe network controller 104. The network controller 102 modifies theoffer 1002 to generate an offer 1004. The network controller 102 placeswild card media connection information in the offer 1004 to replace theconnection information of the offer 1002. Wild card media connectioninformation indicates a willingness to consider among multiple choicesfor the network type and address parameters. “c=$ $ $” or “c= - - - ” inone example serves to represent the connection information of the wildcard media connection information in the offer 1004 as described in R.Kumar and M. Mostafa; “Conventions for the Use of the SessionDescription Protocol (SDP) for ATM Bearer Connections”; Network WorkingGroup, Request for Comments (RFC) 3108; May 2001; 97 pgs.;www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3108.txt?number=3108. In one example, the sessionconnection information comprises the fully qualified domain name in theaddress parameter. The fully qualified domain name represents a domainof the network 106 associated with the user 120.

In one example, the offer 1004 comprises a session description protocoloffer. The network controller 102 sends the session description protocoloffer to the network controller 104. If the interface between thenetwork controller 104 and the user 122 supports session descriptionprotocol, then the network controller 104 forwards the offer 1004 to theuser 122. If the interface between the network controller 104 and theuser 122 does not support session description protocol, then the networkcontroller 104 sends a protocol offer equivalent to the sessiondescription protocol offer to the user 122. If wild card mediaconnection information is not supported on the interface between thenetwork controller 104 and the user 122, then the network controller 104requests gateway controller 114 to immediately allocate a gatewaycontext in gateway 118, rather than waiting until receipt of answer1006, and modifies the connection information of the offer 1004 tocomprise connection information of the gateway 118 before sending theoffer 1004 to the user 122.

The user 122 responds to the offer 1004 by sending an answer 1006 to thenetwork controller 104. The answer 1006 comprises the connectioninformation of the user 122. In one example, the address parameter ofthe connection information comprises an internet protocol version fouraddress. “c=IPb” in one example serves to represent the connectioninformation of the user 122 in the answer 1006.

The network controller 104 examines the connection information of theusers 120 and 122 and the respective networks 106 and 110 of the users120 and 122. If the fully qualified domain name of the network 106 wasincluded in offer 1004 to the network controller 104, then the networkcontroller 104 may compare the fully qualified domain name of thenetwork 106 with a provisioned information list of fully qualifieddomain names with which the network controller 104 has internet protocolmedia connectivity. If the fully qualified domain name of the network106 is in the provisioned information list, then the network controller104 may choose to establish internet protocol media connectivity withthe network 106. In one example, the network controller 104 isconfigured to use an asynchronous transfer mode wide area network as adefault interworking network for disconnected networks, for example,networks 106 and 110. If the fully qualified domain name of the network106 is not on the provisioned information list, then the networkcontroller 104 may choose to establish asynchronous transfer mode mediaconnectivity between the networks 106 and 110. The choice betweenestablishing internet protocol media connectivity or asynchronoustransfer mode media connectivity determines the type of wide areanetwork to use between the networks 106 and 110. To make the choice, thenetwork controller 104 will examine available address information fromthe offer 1004 and the answer 1006.

In the call flow 1001, the network controller 104 determines that theuser 120 and the user 122 are in disconnected networks, for example,networks 106 and 110 without internet protocol media connectivity. Thenetwork controller 104 determines to use the default interworkingnetwork (i.e., asynchronous transfer mode wide area network) to couplethe networks 106 and 110.

The network controller 104 sends an offer 1008 to the gateway controller114 to request allocation of an internet protocol termination in thegateway 118. The offer 1008 comprises the connection information of theuser 122. “c=IPb” in one example serves to represent the connectioninformation of the user 122 in the offer 1008.

The network controller 104 sends an offer 1010 to the gateway controller114 to request allocation of an asynchronous transfer mode terminationin the gateway 118. The offer 1010 comprises wild card media connectioninformation of an asynchronous transfer mode network. “c=ATM - - - ” or“c=ATM $ $” in one example serve to represent the connection informationof the wild card media connection information of the asynchronoustransfer mode network in the offer 1010. The offers 1008 and 1010 may becarried in a single session description protocol offer as separate medialines.

The gateway controller 114 allocates a context within the gateway 118comprising the internet protocol termination. The gateway controller 114adds the asynchronous transfer termination to the context within thegateway 118. The gateway controller 114 may allocate the context withinthe gateway 118 comprising the internet protocol termination and theasynchronous transfer mode termination in a single transaction with thegateway 118.

When the context termination connection information is complete afterreceipt of offer 1036, the internet protocol termination sends mediainformation after any necessary processing to the asynchronous transfermode termination. The asynchronous transfer mode termination sends mediainformation after any necessary processing to the internet protocoltermination. The gateway 118 comprises an asynchronous transfer mode tointernet protocol conversion.

The gateway controller 114 sends an answer 1012 to the networkcontroller 104. The answer 1012 comprises the connection information ofthe internet protocol termination of the context within the gateway 118.The connection information comprises the internet protocol address ofthe internet protocol termination. “c=IPgw2” in one example serve torepresent the connection information of the internet protocoltermination in the answer 1012.

The gateway controller 114 sends an answer 1014 to the networkcontroller 104. The answer 1014 comprises the connection information ofthe asynchronous transfer mode termination of the context within thegateway 118. The connection information comprises the asynchronoustransfer mode address of the asynchronous transfer mode termination.“c=ATMgw2” in one example serve to represent the connection informationof the asynchronous transfer mode termination in the answer 1014. Thegateway controller 114 may send the answers 1012 and 1014 in a singletransaction to the network controller 104.

The network controller 104 sends an answer 1016 to the networkcontroller 102. The answer 1016 comprises an address in the networks 108and 110. The user 120 will establish media communication with theaddress in the network 108 and 110. In one example, the networkcontroller 104 has allocated the gateway 118. Therefore, the address inthe network 108 corresponds to the asynchronous transfer mode address ofthe asynchronous transfer mode termination or the internet protocoladdress of the internet protocol termination within the context of thegateway 118. “c=ATMgw2” in one example serves to represent theconnection information of the answer 1016.

The network controller 102 compares the connection information of theoffer 1002 and the connection information of the answer 1016. If thenetwork type indicated in the connection information of the offer 1002is different from the network type indicated in the connectioninformation of the answer 1016, then the network controller 102determines that the gateway 116 is needed to translate between thedifferent network types.

The network controller 102 sends an offer 1018 to the gateway controller112 to request allocation of an asynchronous transfer mode terminationin the gateway 116. The offer 1018 comprises the connection informationof the asynchronous transfer mode address of the asynchronous transfermode termination in the gateway 118. “c=ATMgw2” in one example serves torepresent the connection information of the offer 1018.

The network controller 102 sends an offer 1020 to the gateway controller112 to request allocation of an internet protocol termination in thegateway 116. The offer 1020 comprises the connection information of theuser 120. “c=IPa” in one example serves to represent the connectioninformation of the offer 1020. The offers 1018 and 1020 may be carriedin a single session description protocol offer as separate media lines.

The gateway controller 112 allocates a context within the gateway 116comprising the asynchronous transfer termination. The gateway controller112 adds the internet protocol termination to the context within thegateway 116. The gateway controller 112 may allocate the context withinthe gateway 116 comprising the asynchronous transfer mode terminationand the internet protocol termination in a single transaction with thegateway 116.

The internet protocol termination sends media information after anynecessary processing to the asynchronous transfer mode termination. Theasynchronous transfer mode termination sends media information after anynecessary processing to the internet protocol termination. The gateway116 comprises an internet protocol to asynchronous transfer modeconversion.

The gateway controller 112 sends an answer 1022 to the networkcontroller 102. The answer 1022 comprises the connection information ofthe asynchronous transfer mode termination of the context within thegateway 116. The connection information comprises the asynchronoustransfer mode address of the asynchronous transfer mode termination.“c=ATMgw1” in one example serves to represent the connection informationof the asynchronous transfer mode termination in the answer 1022.

The gateway controller 112 sends an answer 1024 to the networkcontroller 102. The answer 1024 comprises the connection information ofthe internet protocol termination of the context within the gateway 116.The connection information comprises the internet protocol address ofthe internet protocol termination. “c=IPgw1” in one example serves torepresent the connection information of the internet protocoltermination in the answer 1024. The gateway controller 114 may send theanswers 1022 and 1024 in a single transaction to the network controller102.

The network controller 102 sends an answer 1026 to the user 120. Theanswer 1026 comprises an address in the networks 106, 108, and 110. Theuser 120 will establish media communication with the address in thenetworks 106, 108, and 110. In one example, the network controller 102has allocated the gateway 116. Therefore, the address in the network 106corresponds to the asynchronous transfer mode address of theasynchronous transfer mode termination or the internet protocol addressof the internet protocol termination within the context of the gateway116. “c=IPgw1” in one example serves to represent the connectioninformation of the answer 1026.

The network controller 102 sends an offer 1028 to the network controller104. The offer 1028 comprises the connection information of the user 120or the network 108 termination within the context of the gateway 116. Inone example, offer 1028 comprises the connection information of theasynchronous transfer mode termination within the context of the gateway116. “c=ATMgw1” in one example serves to represent the connectioninformation of the offer 1028. The network controller 104 modifies theoffer 1028 to generate an offer 1030. The network controller 104replaces the connection information of the offer 1028 with theconnection information of the internet protocol termination in thegateway 118, if it has been allocated. “c=IPgw2” in one example servesto represent the connection information of the offer 1030.

The network controller 104 sends an offer 1030 to the user 122. The user122 responds to the offer 1030 with an answer 1032. The answer 1032comprises the connection information of the user 122. “c=IPb” in oneexample serves to represent the connection information of the user 122of the answer 1032.

The network controller 104 responds to the offer 1028 with an answer1034. The answer 1034 comprises the address in the network 110 where theuser 120 may establish the media communication. The network controller104 sends the answer 1034 to the network controller 102.

The network controller 104 sends an offer 1036 to the gateway controller114. The offer 1036 comprises the connection information of the offer1028. The offer 1036 modifies the asynchronous transfer mode terminationor the internet protocol termination of the gateway 118. In one example,the gateway controller 114 communicates with the gateway 118 to modifythe asynchronous transfer mode termination in the gateway 118.“c=ATMgw1” in one example serves to represent the connection informationof the offer 1036. The gateway controller 114 responds to the offer 1036with an answer 1038. The answer 1038 comprises the connectioninformation of the answer 1014. “c=ATMgw2” in one example serves torepresent the connection information of the answer 1038.

The end-to-end media path is established and ready to support a sessionbetween the users 120 and 122. The user 120 will communicate with thegateway 116 through media path 1050. The media path 1050 supportsinternet protocol communications, for example, voice over internetprotocol (“VoIP”). The gateway 116 will communicate with the gateway 118through media path 1052. The media path 1052 supports asynchronoustransfer mode communications, for example, voice over asynchronoustransfer mode (“VoATM”). The gateway 118 will communicate with the user122 through media path 1054. The media path 1054 supports internetprotocol communications, for example, voice over internet protocol.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 12, a call flow 1101 represents one exemplarynetwork negotiation from the user 120 to the user 122 through theconfiguration 301. The configuration 301 and the call flow 1101comprises the same architecture described in the configuration 201 andthe call flow 1001, however in configuration 301 and the call flow 1101the network 108 comprises an internet protocol wide area network. Offers1002 and 1004, and answer 1006 are generated, processed, and propagatedas described in the call flow 1001.

The call flow 1101 diverges from the call flow 1001 at the point wherethe network controller 104 examines the connection information of theusers 120 and 122 and the respective networks 106 and 110 of the users120 and 122. If the networks 106 and 110 are able to be coupled usinginternet protocol connectivity, then the network controller 104 maychoose between internet protocol and asynchronous transfer mode toconnect the networks 106 and 110. For example, if the fully qualifieddomain name of the network 106 is on the provisioned information list offully qualified domain names with which the network controller 104 hasinternet protocol media connectivity, then the network controller 104may choose to establish internet protocol or asynchronous transfer modemedia connectivity with the network 106. The network controller 104employs one or more characteristics of a communication path between theusers 120 and 122 to choose between the use of internet protocol andasynchronous transfer mode to connect the networks 106 and 110. In oneexample, the communication path between the users 120 and 122 is arelatively long distance. Therefore, the network controller 104 maychoose to use an asynchronous transfer mode wide area network to connectthe networks 106 and 110 as the more efficient network to cover the longdistance. In another example, the communication path between the users120 and 122 is a relatively short distance. Therefore, the networkcontroller 104 may choose to use an internet protocol wide area networkto connect the networks 106 and 110 as the less costly network to coverthe short distance.

In one example, the network controller 104 determines to use theinternet protocol wide area network to connect the networks 106 and 110with the network 108 as shown in the configuration 301. Therefore,gateways 116 and 118 are not needed to translate between internetprotocol and asynchronous transfer mode networks. The network controller104 sends an answer 1102 to the network controller 102. The answer 1102comprises the connection information of the user 122. In one example,the address parameter of the connection information comprises aninternet protocol version four address. “c=IPb” in one example serves torepresent the connection information of the user 122 in answer 1102. Thenetwork controller 102 forwards the answer 1102 to the user 120.

The network controller 102 sends an offer 1104 to the network controller104. The offer 1104 comprises the connection information of the user120. In one example, the address parameter of the connection informationcomprises an internet protocol version four address. “c=IPa” in oneexample serves to represent the connection information of the user 122in the offer 1104. The network controller 104 forwards the offer 1104 tothe user 122.

The user 122 sends an answer 1106 to the network controller 104. Theanswer 1106 comprises the connection information of the user 122.“c=IPb” in one example serves to represent the connection information ofthe user 122 in the offer 1106. The network controller 104 forwards theanswer 1106 to the network controller 102.

The end-to-end media path is established and ready to support a sessionbetween the users 120 and 122. The user 120 will communicate with theuser 122 through media path 1110. The media path 1110 supports internetprotocol communications, for example, voice over internet protocol.

The steps or operations described herein are just exemplary. There maybe many variations to these steps or operations without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed ina differing order, or steps may be added, deleted, or modified.

Although exemplary implementations of the invention have been depictedand described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions,and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope ofthe invention as defined in the following claims.

1. An apparatus, comprising: one or more network controllers that serveto communicatively couple a first network component with a secondnetwork component, wherein the first network component sends a signalingmessage for the second network component to one or more of the one ormore network controllers, wherein the signaling message comprises anindication of one or more media connections usable by the first networkcomponent; wherein one or more of the one or more network controllersserve to replace the indication of the one or more media connectionsusable by the first network component in the signaling message with wildcard media connection information indicating the second networkcomponent is allowed to indicate to one or more of the one or morenetwork controllers one or more media connections usable by the secondnetwork component and the wild card media connection information servesto direct the second network component to generate a reply signalingmessage comprising an indication of one or more of the one or more mediaconnections usable by the second network component, and wherein the oneor more of the one or more network controllers employ the indication ofthe one or more specific media connections usable by the first networkcomponent and the indication of the one or more specific mediaconnections usable be the second network component to select one or morenetworks from a plurality of available networks for media connection ofthe first network component with the second network component.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the signaling message comprises a sessiondescription protocol offer message within an session initiation protocolor bearer independent call control message, wherein the sessiondescription protocol offer message that comprises an indication of anetwork type, network address type, and network address that correspondsto the first network component.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein oneof the one or more network controllers serve to replace the indicationof the network type, network address type, and network address thatcorresponds to the first network component in the session initiationprotocol offer message with an indication of a wild card network type,wild card network address type, and wild card network address.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first network component is supportedby a first local area network, wherein the second network component issupported by a second local area network; wherein the first local areanetwork and the second local area network serves to support one or morenetwork protocol technologies; wherein one or more of the one or morenetwork controllers select a wide area network from the plurality ofavailable networks to support one or more of the one or more networkprotocol technologies for connection of the first local area networkwith the second local area network.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe first network component is supported by a first local area network,wherein the second network component is supported by a second local areanetwork; wherein the first local area network and the second local areanetwork support one or more network protocol technologies; wherein oneor more of the one or more network controllers select a wide areanetwork that supports a different network protocol technology than theone or more network protocol technologies from the plurality ofavailable networks to connect the first local area network with thesecond local area network; wherein the one or more of the one or morenetwork controllers allocate a first gateway to interface the firstlocal area network to the wide area network, wherein one or more of theone or more network controllers allocate a second gateway to interfacethe second local area network to the wide area network.
 6. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein one or more of the first and second networkcomponents support internet protocol network technology, wherein theplurality of networks comprise one or more of an internet protocolnetwork, an asynchronous transfer mode network, and a time divisionmultiplexing network; wherein one or more of the one or more networkcontrollers select the internet protocol network from the plurality ofnetworks to connect to the one or more of the first and second networkcomponents.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more of theone or more network controllers select the internet protocol network toconnect to the one or more of the first and second network components toavoid translation of communication to and/or from the one or more of thefirst and second network components.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the one or more of the one or more network controllers selectthe internet protocol network to connect to the one or more of the firstand second network components due to the distance to the one or more ofthe first and second network components.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the second network component sends the reply signaling messageto one or more of the one or more network controllers; wherein the oneor more of the one or more network controllers employ the indication ofthe one or more specific network connections useable by the firstnetwork component and the indication of the one or more specific networkconnections useable by the second network component to determine whetherto allocate a gateway to translate between a first network protocoltechnology of the first network component and a second network protocoltechnology of the second network component.
 10. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the indication of the one or more specific networkconnections useable by the first network component comprises a fullyqualified domain name of the first network component; wherein one ormore of the one or more network controllers have access to a list offully qualified domain names that the one or more of the one or morenetwork controllers can reach through an internet protocol network;wherein the one or more of the one or more network controllers comparethe fully qualified domain name to the list of fully qualified domainnames, wherein if the fully qualified domain name is on the list offully qualified domain names then one or more of the one or more networkcontrollers will connect the first network component with the secondnetwork component through the internet protocol network.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more network controllerscomprise a first network controller and a second network controller,wherein the first network controller serves a first communicationendpoint, wherein the second network controller serves a secondcommunication endpoint; wherein the first communication endpointinitiates a communication session with the second communication endpointby sending the indication of the one or more specific networkconnections usable by the first network component in the signalingmessage to the first network controller; wherein the first networkcontroller sends the indication of the one or more specific networkconnections usable by the first network component in the signalingmessage to the second network controller; wherein the second networkcontroller replaces the indication of the one or more specific networkconnections usable by the first network component in the signalingmessage with the wild card network connection information; wherein thesecond network controller sends the wild card network connectioninformation in the signaling message to the second communicationendpoint.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the oneor more network controllers serve to allocate one or more gateways totranslate between a first network protocol technology of the firstnetwork component and a second network protocol technology of the secondnetwork component.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more ofthe one or more network controllers use the wild card network connectioninformation in the signaling message to discover connection informationof the second network component.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe one or more network controllers comprise one or more of a sessioninitiation protocol back to back user agent and an internet protocolmultimedia subsystem media gateway control function.
 15. A method,comprising the steps of: receiving at a network controller a specificmedia connection information parameter of a first network component forset up of a communication session with a second network component;modifying at the network controller the specific media connectioninformation parameter to allow the second network component to determinea specific media connection information parameter of the second networkcomponent for set up of the communication session with the first networkcomponent by replacing the specific media connection informationparameter of the first network component with a wild card mediaconnection information parameter; and by sending the wild card mediaconnection information parameter in a session initiation protocol offermessage to the second network component; and selecting with the networkcontroller one or more networks form a plurality of available networksto communicatively couple the first network component with the secondnetwork component based on one or more of the specific media connectioninformation parameters of the first network component and the specificmedia connection information parameters of the second network component.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first network component supportsa first network protocol technology and the second network componentsupports a second network protocol technology, wherein the step ofselecting the network from the plurality of available networks tocommunicatively couple the first network component with the secondnetwork component based on the one or more of the specific mediaconnection information parameters of the first network component and thespecific media connection information parameters of the second networkcomponent comprises the steps of: detecting a difference between thefirst network technology and the second network technology at a boundarybetween a first network and a second network, wherein the first networkand the second network serve to support the first network component andsecond network component, respectively; and allocating a gateway tointerface the first network with the second network and to translatebetween the first network technology and the second network technologyat the boundary between the first network and the second network. 17.The method of claim 15, wherein the specific media connectioninformation parameter of the first network component comprises a fullyqualified domain name of the first network component, wherein the stepof selecting one or more networks from the plurality of availablenetworks to communicatively couple the first network component with thesecond network component based on the one or more of the specific mediaconnection information parameters of the first network component and thespecific media connection information parameters of the second networkcomponent comprises the steps of: determining the network technologyemployed by the first network component from the fully qualified domainname of the first network component; and comparing the fully qualifieddomain name of the first network component to a list of fully qualifieddomain names that may be connected by the one of the plurality ofnetworks that supports the network technology employed by the firstnetwork.
 18. An article, comprising: one or more recordable data storagemedium; and means in the one or more medium for receiving at a networkcontroller a specific media connection information parameter of a firstnetwork component for set up of a media communication session with asecond network component; means in the one or more medium for modifyingat the network controller the specific media connection informationparameter to allow the second network component to determine a specificmedia connection information parameter of the second network componentfor set up of the media communication session with the first networkcomponent by replacing the specific media connection informationparameter of the first network component with a wild card mediaconnection information parameter; and by sending the wild card mediaconnection information parameter in a session initiation offer messageto the second network component; and means in the one or more medium forselecting with the network controller a network from a plurality ofavailable networks to communicatively couple the first network componentwith the second network component based on one or more of the specificmedia connection information parameters of the first network componentand the specific media connection information parameters of the secondnetwork component.